Pantie girdle



L. LAX

PANTIE GIRDLE Jan. 29, 1957 Filed Oct. '7, 1953 INVENTOR. Zia/w? [AxUnited States Patent O PANTIE GIRDLE Leona Lax, New Haven, Conn.,assignor to Sarong, Inc., a corporation of Connecticut ApplicationOctober 7, 1953, Serial No. 384,651

7 Claims. (Cl. 2-43) The invention is concerned with a body confininggarment of a type having closed leg portions and particularlyexemplified in a garment commonly known as a pantie girdle. I

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved garment of suchcharacter which will more elfectively function to support the body, legand hip portions in the desired manner and at the same time becomfortable to the wearer, attractive in appearance and convenient andeconomical to manufacture.

The garment includes a particular shape and relation of parts whichexerts a special tension or pull over the lower part of the abdomen andalso operates to confine and control the thighs but which permitsrelatively free movement of the legs and other normal body movements. Bythe relation of elastic and non-elastic parts and other features, thegarment readily adapts itself to the particular body to which it isapplied despite variations such as in the length from the waist to thegroin line.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessingthe features, properties, and the relation of elements which will beexemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing, in which: 7

Fig. l is a front view in elevation of an assembled garment embodyingthe features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same garment;

Fig. 3 is a view of two sections of fabric as initially cut and adaptedto be placed in overlapped condition and form the front panel of thegarment;

Fig. 4 is afront View of another garment embodying a front panelmodified in certain respects from that of Fig. l; and 1 Fig. 5 shows thetwo sections of fabric as initially cut for the garment of Fig. 4.

The garment as shown in assembled form in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises apantie girdle which has as principal parts thereof a main body portion10, a front panel section 11, and a crotch portion 12 all suitably sewntogether along appropriate seams. Preferably also the garment has anupper wide band 13 at the waist with opposed ends terminating at thefront panel section and sewn thereto at 14 and 15. By inserting thetriangular parts 16 and 17, the upper edge of the body portion of thematerial may be cut on substantially a straight line, but the finishedgarment will be suitably shaped.

The body portion may be made in one piece but preferably includes a backpanel section 100. The body encircling part may be composed altogetherof elastic material or partly of elastic material. In the presentembodiment the two sections 10a and 10b, which are principally at thesides, are comprised of two-Way stretch elastic material, and the backpanel 10c of fabric having stretch in the vertical direction to provideexpansion when sitting, for example, but being relatively inelastichorizontally. The waist band 13 preferably comprises heavier webbingmaterial having considerable stretch circumferentially but inelasticvertically. The crotch portion 12 may vary in shape, construction andmaterial. In the form shown it comprises a soft jersey cloth cut andshaped to have considerable fullness.

An important feature of the garment is the shape and character of thefront panel section and its relation to the other parts. As shown inFig. 3 it comprises two sections 20 and 21 arranged in the garment inoverlapping relation at the upper part having common seams 14 and 15 anddownward continuations thereof 22 and 23 respectively. Each section hasa lower narrowed extension 20a, 21a respectively extending down andcomprising the front of the respective leg parts of the garment. Themain portion of the section 20 adjacent the extension 25a has a bottomedge 20b arranged at an angle to the extension 20a; and section 21 has asimilar bottom edge portion 21b. In the garment of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 theedges 2% and 21b are arranged at and correspond substantially to thegroin lines of the wearer. The leg extensions are sewn at 24 and 25 tothe crotch section 12, and to the body portion 10 along seams comprisingcontinuations of the respective seams 22 and 23. The inclined edges 20band 21b are free, that is unsewn except where they cross at a commoncentral point 26 just above the crotch portion, and at the opposite endswhere they join the seams 22 and 23 respectively. The upper portions ofthe front sections 29 and 21 are overlapped and coincide, but are freeof each other except at thesides and at the top where they are sewntogether with an inner tape strip 27.

The sections 20 and 21 are comprised of an inelastic fabric such forexample as marquisette. In order to provide certain lines of stress andcontrol the sections 20 and 21 are cut on the bias of the material suchthat the weave lines in one direction are substantially parallel to theinclined edges 20]; and 21b respectively. Such weave lines are indicatedfragmentarily and upon an enlarged scale in Figs. 1 and 3.

The bottoms of the leg parts are provided with a band 28, 29respectively which preferably is of elastic webbing material havingsubstantial stretch in the circumferential direction. The bottom ends ofthe front'panel sections 29 and 21 are sewn into the respective legbands 28, 29.

. Suitable garters are provided which may be sewn to the leg bands 28and 29. It will be noted that the front garters 34 and 35 are located atthe lower ends of the seams 22 and 23 respectively whereby the pull istransferred directly to the stronger seam parts. Also the rear garters36 and 37 may be located at lower ends of the respective seamsconnecting the back panel with the side parts 10a and 10b.

The construction of the garment results in functions and characteristicsof marked advantage. With the front panel parts shaped and related inthe manner described including the sections 20 and 21 being cut on thebias a very effective control is obtained particularly at the lower partof the abdomen where it is most important. The lines of stress or pullare substantially as indicated by the arrows 40, 41, 42 and 43 andaccordingly the area indicated generally at 26 is held under tensionserving to apply a flattening and upward lift to the lower portion ofthe abdomen.

The arrangement with the front panel sections having narrowed portionsextending down into the leg part, and being connected to the crotchportion and to the respective leg band and also to the elastic :bodypart, serves to give a close. but flexible .fit which flattens the frontthigh line. The front of the garment hugs closely to the body and doesnot elongate on the wearer particularly from the groin line to thebottom of the leg parts.

The garment adjusts itself to the body and the inclined .free edges 21aand 21b occupy positions corresponding to the respective groin lines,and to the normal crease or line of bending as the wearer sits down ormoves one leg relative to the other. The garment is shown with gartersbut it functions to stay down on the body when worn without.

Figs. 4 and 5 depict another embodiment differing in certain respectsfrom the garment of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The garment of Fig. 4 comprises ingeneral a brief pantie girdle and in accordance with that type ofgarment has leg encircling parts but the legs are quite short and thegarment is intended to extend upwardly to the waist line only. It has afront panel comprised of overlapping sections '51 and 52 of the shapeindividually shown in Fig. 5. The other parts of the girdle may be quitesimilar to those of the girdle of Figs. 1 and 2. For example, it hasbody encircling portions including sections 53 and 54 of two-Way stretchelastic and a back panel similar to panel 10c of Fig. 2. The crotchportion 55 is of soft jersey material but is smaller than the crotchportion 12 of the garment of Figs. 1 and 2 since the leg parts terminateimmediately below the crotch. The upper part of the girdle is providedwith a relatively narrow band 56 of knitted web material havingconsiderable stretch circumferentially. The bottom of the legs areprovided with bands 57 and 58 respectively of similar elastic webmaterial. Garters 6t), 61, 62 and 63 are provided located at the lowerends respectively of the girdle seams as in the case of the girdle ofFigs. 1 and 2. Preferably, however, the garters are engaged over flathooks and are readily detachable since it is often desired to wear briefpantie girdles without garters.

As in the previously described garment the front panel sections 51 and52 have similarly shaped overlapping upper main portions and each has athigh or leg extension which is sewn to the respective leg band 57 or 58and to the crotch part 55. parts 53 and 54 along seams 65 and 66 whichare common to the two sections. Each of the sections has a free edge51b, 52b extending across the garment arranged at an angle to thecorresponding leg extension.

The edges have an edge facing of tape 51c and 52c respectively and thetape may extend on across the corresponding section to the opposite sidethereof as shown more clearly in Fig. 5. The sections are cut on thebias and have weave lines parallel to the respective edges 51]) and 52bas indicated particularly in Fig. 5 at 69 and 70.

As indicated in Fig. 4 by the arrows 72 and 73 for the outer section 51and by the arrows 74 and 75 for the under section 52 the lines of pulland support intersect at an area76 exerting a tension thereat and aflattening effect and an uplifting support for the lower part of theabdomen. The leg portions cooperate also as in the case of the garmentof Figs. 1 and 2 to provide a close flexible fit over the thigh whichserves to flatten the front thigh line.

The specific garments embodying the invention are referred to in thespecification and claims as a pantie girdle, but it is intendedthat theterm comprehend anygarment which is of a body confining type withindividual leg encircling portions and a-body portion extending upwardlytozthe :waist whether or not it also includes parts for the upper body.Various changes in that and in other respects may be made in the garmentWithout departing from the scope of the invention and itis intended thatall matter contained herein shallbe interpreted asillustrative and notin 'a limiting sense.

1. In -a pantie girdle havinga body portion, a crotch portion-and a;pair ofin'divi'dual closed band leg portionsthe combination therewith ofa front panel .tcom- The sections are sewn to the body I prisingoverlapping pieces adapted to extend over the abdominal region of thewearer, one having a section extending down the front of one leg portionand the other a corresponding section extending down the front of theother leg portion, each of said sections being connected to the crotchportion and to an adjacent part of the body portion to form jointly therespective leg portions and' each piece having a bottom edge partextending transversely of the girdle from the side to a common middlepoint of crossing. and attachment at the lower areaofthe front of thebody portion above the crotch area with the edge continuing down intothe opposite leg portion, each said bottom edge part being free of theother piece between the side from which it extends and said middle pointof attachment, each of said bottom edges and said sections extendingdown the leg portions defining lines of poll radiating fromsubstantially said point of crossing to apply uplifting tension at thelower part of the abdomen of the wearer.

2. In a pantie gridle having a body portion, a crotch portion and a pairof individual leg portions, the combination therewith of a front panelcomprising overlapping pieces adapted to extend over the abdominalregion connectedby side seams to the body portion, one having a narrowedsection extending down the front of one leg portion and the other acorresponding narrowed section extending down the front of the other legportion, each piece having a bottom edge part extending transversely ofthe girdle from the side to a common middle point of crossing andattachment at the lower area of the front of the body portion above thecrotch area with the edge continuing down into the opposite leg portionand connected to the crotch portion, each leg portion having a bottomband of elastic material to which the corresponding leg section of thefront panel piece is connected, each said bottom edge part being free ofthe other piece between the side from which it extends and said middlepoint of attachment.

3. In a pantie girdle having a body portion, a crotch portion and a pairof individual closed band leg portions, the combination therewith of afront panel com prising overlapping pieces adapted to extend over theabdominal region connected by side seams to the body portion, one havinga narrowed section extending down the front of one leg portion and theother a corresponding narrowed section extending down the front of theother leg portion, each piece having a bottom edge inclined downwardlyand oppositely with respect to each other from the corresponding side toa common middle point of crossing and attachment at the lower area ofthe front of the body portion above the crotch area with the edgecontinuing down into the opposite leg portion and connected to thecrotch portion, said bottom inclined edges conforming to and beingadapted to be located at substantially the groin line of thecorresponding side of the wearer and each said edge being free of theother piece between the side from which it extends and said middle pointof attachment.

4. In a pantie girdle having a body portion and a pair of individualclosed band leg portions the combination therewith of a front panelcomprising overlapping pieces adapted to extend over the abdominalregion of the wearer, one having a narrowed section extending down thefront of one leg portion and the other a corresponding narrowed sectionextending'down the front "of the other leg portion, each piece having'a'bottom edge-part extending transverselyacross the front from thenarrowed section to the opposite side of the corresponding piece andinclined downwardly at an acute angle to the narrowed section, saidbottom edge parts having a common middle point of crossing andattachment atthe lower area of thefront'of the body portion, buteachsai'd bottom edgepart being free-of theother piece between theside'fromwhich it extends and said middle point of attachment.

5. In a pantie girdle having a body portion, a crotch portion and a pairof individual leg portions, the combination therewith of a front panelcomprising pieces which are overlapping and coextensive over the lowerpart of the front of the body portion, one of said pieces having anarrowed section extending down the front of one leg portion and theother of said pieces a corresponding narrowed section extending down thefront of the other leg portion below the crotch, each said section beingconnected by seams to the crotch portion and to the body portion to formthe respective leg portions, each piece having a bottom edge partarranged at an angle to its leg extension and extending transversely ofthe front from the side opposite to the leg extension to a common middlepoint of crossing and attachment at the lower area of the front of thegirdle above the crotch area, each said bottom edge part being free ofthe other piece between the side from which it extends and said middlepoint of attachment.

6. In a pantie girdle having a body portion, a pair of individual legportions and a crotch portion, the combination of a front panelcomprising two overlapping fabric pieces with a common seam at each sideconnecting the pieces to the body portion, each said piece having abottom edge part extending across the front from the side to a commonpoint at the middle of the front of the girdle and continuing down at anangle to its said edge part into the opposite leg portion, the saidpieces being symmetrical and one said piece having a narrowed sectionextending down into a first one of said leg portions and connected onopposite edges by seams to the crotch portion and body portion andforming a front part of said first leg portion and the other piecehaving a narrowed section extending down into the other one of said legportions and connected on opposite edges by seams to the crotch portionand body portion and forming a front part of said other leg portion.

7. In a pantie girdle having a body portion, a crotch portion, and apair of leg portions each adapted to encircle individually therespective leg of the wearer, the combination of a front panelcomprising two pieces of overlapping material each adapted to extendover the lower area of the abdomen of the wearer, one piece having asection extending down the front of one leg portion adjacent the crotchportion and the other a corresponding section extending down the frontof the other leg portion adjacent the crotch portion, each piece havingan outer side edge extending down into the leg portion thereof andconnected to the body portion at that side and an inner edge adjacentthe crotch portion extending upwardly from the bottom to above thecrotch and then transversely across the front of the girdle in thedirection away from said outer side edge of that piece, the inner sideedges of the two said pieces crossing and having a point of attachmentat substantially the lower middle of the front of the girdle above thecrotch area, each of said sections having its inner edge connected by aseam to the crotch portion and its outer side edge connected to anadjacent part of the body portion to form jointly the respective legportion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,945,093 Strait Jan. 30, 1934 2,445,322 Fridolph July 20, 19482,464,121 Diebold Mar. 8, 1949 2,617,101 Weintraub Nov. 11, 19522,632,166 Sands Mar. 24, 1953

